Medication Assisted Treatment | What it is | Effectivity

What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) uses medication with behavioral therapies, holistic treatments, and counseling to treat substance use disorders (SUD). While MAT is commonly used to treat opioid addiction, such as heroin or prescription pain management opioids, this therapy also works to aid in other SUDs. The goal of MAT is to treat the entire person, not just their substance use disorder. This can also be referred to as the “whole person” approach to recovery. Here at Hawaii Island Recovery, we believe that complete healing from SUD only happens with the “whole person” approach, which aims at healing the mind, body, and spirits of our patients.

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Is MAT Effective?

MAT is a safe and effective way to treat alcohol and SUDs, and the medications used have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), research on MAT “shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat these [substance abuse] disorders, and for some people struggling with addiction, MAT can help sustain recovery.” In addition, this research states that MAT is also clinically effective in helping reduce the withdrawal symptoms of individuals in recovery from opioid addiction.

It is important to note that the medications taken as part of MAT therapies are safe to take over long periods of time, for weeks, months, or even years. These medications do not substitute one substance for another. MAT medications are designed to restore balance to a person’s overall sense of well-being and allow the patient’s brain to properly heal while in recovery.

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How MAT Aids in Addiction Recovery

MAT works in addiction recovery treatment because the medications used help reduce drug and alcohol cravings, work to block the euphoric effects from the substances, and help to restore and normalize brain chemistry. The goal of MAT therapies is to ensure patients fully recover and have the tools they need to help them manage their sobriety long-term. MAT treatments have been shown to help those in recovery by:

Decreasing criminal activity from those suffering from a SUD

Helping patients return to gainful employment

Improving survival rates of patients in recovery

Increasing retention in recovery programs

Some additional benefits of MAT therapy include:

Medically supervised treatment by healthcare professionals

Providing a cost-effective option for long-term treatment

Reducing the number of overall deaths due to overdose

Decreasing use of illegal substances

Helping to prevent relapse

Medications can be taken over long periods of time

Produces adverse side effects if the individual consumes their addictive substance

MAT treatment may not be the right fit for everyone, and it is important that you find a treatment center that will cater to your specific needs. At our treatment centers in Hawaii, we know the importance of creating custom recovery programs for each individual, and our MAT treatment plans are clinically driven to address the unique needs of each individual entering into treatment programs.

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Medications Used in MAT Therapy

The FDA approved medications used in MAT therapy for alcohol most commonly include:

Naltrexone

Helps reduce alcohol use by blocking the feelings and effects of intoxication. This prescription also helps reduce alcohol consumption, helps individuals to stay sober, and helps to reduce the chance of relapse.

Disulfiram

Most effective in people who have already participated in an alcohol detox program and causes unpleasant side effects if taken in close proximity to alcohol. This medication is in tablet form and should be taken once a day. If an individual takes this drug and consumes alcohol within a 12-hour period, they will experience adverse effects such as difficulty breathing, vomiting, and chest pains.

Acamprosate

Used for people who are already in recovery and works to help individuals avoid consuming alcohol. It can be taken three times a day in tablet form.

Approved FDA medications to help combat opioid addiction include:

Methadone

Works to reduce opioid cravings and blocks out the effects of opioid consumption

Buprenorphine

Helps suppresses opioid cravings

Naltrexone

Blocks the effects of opioids, so people do not feel under the influence

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Is MAT Right for You?

If you are wondering if MAT is the right treatment to help you recover from your alcohol or SUD, we are able to help. We have trained medical professionals available to you 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, to answer any of your questions. During our pre-screening evaluation, we gain a better understanding of your substance use patterns and any mental health concerns you may have, as well as how these issues are impacting your life. We will work with you and your doctors to determine the best therapeutic protocol for your needs.

MAT at Our Rehab Centers in Hawaii

At Hawaii Island Recovery, MAT is part of our residential treatment. We offer comprehensive treatment programs in a tranquil and healing environment. As part of our rehabilitation services, we will develop individualized MAT therapies that will be part of your recovery treatment plan tailored to each phase of your recovery journey: the medically supervised detoxification, recovery treatment, and outpatient/aftercare programming. We are dedicated to helping you live a life of self-reliance and freedom. Our MAT programs are based on the best evidence-based treatments, combining the most effective treatment modalities to support your long-term sobriety.

With our MAT therapies, patients will have access to:

Assessment and monitoring provided by certified Addictionologist and Registered Nurse

An on-site registered nurse

Medication management

Psychiatric consults

A registered dietician

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Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) uses medication with behavioral therapies, holistic treatments, and counseling, to treat substance use disorder (SUD). At Hawaii Island Recovery, we use MAT to treat a person’s mind, body, and spirit to help them fully heal from their addiction. To learn more, call us today at (808) 319-4807.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does treatment cost?

Your insurer may cover some or all of the cost of treatment. Depending on your carrier and policy, you may be responsible for the deductible and there may also be a co-pay. The cost of treatment is dependent on the length of stay and the level of care that is deemed medically necessary to support your recovery.

How can I verify my insurance?

Hawaii Island Recovery is able to accept most insurance plans. Depending on your carrier and your individual plan, the extent of coverage will vary. To determine whether your insurance will cover some or all of the cost of treatment, you are urged to contact Hawaii Island Recovery today and speak with one of our Intake Coordinators or to fill out the “Verification of Benefits” form on our website. We will work quickly to ascertain your eligibility for insurance coverage for treatment with Hawaii Island Recovery.

What is detoxification, or “DETOX”?

Alcohol and most drugs are potentially toxic substances, particularly when used in excess. With chronic abuse, the human body adapts to the presence of these substances in an effort to counter their lethal effects. When alcohol or drugs are stopped, extreme care must be taken to ensure a safe withdrawal. Detoxification or “detox” refers to the acute phase of the withdrawal process that can be both uncomfortable and dangerous and may require medical intervention. For some patients, a “detox” protocol of prescribed medication may be required to ensure the client is safely “detoxed” with minimal discomfort.
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What are the benefits of flying away from home for treatment?

Removing yourself from the stressors and triggers of daily life is essential in early recovery. Most of our clients have tried to get sober in their home communities and have failed to achieve lasting sobriety. A change in environment is not only conducive to breaking old patterns and habits, it also reduces exposure to the external triggers that most likely perpetuated the cycle of addiction.

What is the length of stay?

How can I deal with trauma / PTSD?

The majority of our clients who enter treatment for substance abuse have a co-occurring mental health disorder. Most commonly, our clients also suffer with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In the majority of cases, we have found that underlying all of these conditions is a history of trauma that may include childhood abuse and neglect, sexual abuse and domestic violence. In our experience, it is imperative to aggressively treat the underlying trauma to reduce the risk of relapse after treatment. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based technique that has been demonstrated to effectively treat trauma at its source. Hawaii Island Recovery offers EMDR provided by a highly trained clinical staff in addition to CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) another effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of trauma.

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